MicroIslet Announces Encouraging Data From Islet Transplantation Studies in Primates
April 12 2006 - 9:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
SAN DIEGO, April 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MicroIslet, Inc.
(AMEX:MII), a biotechnology company engaged in the research,
development and commercialization of patented technologies in
transplantation therapy for people with insulin-dependent diabetes,
today announced encouraging data from preclinical primate studies.
The data shows that minimally-invasive transplantation of
encapsulated porcine islets into diabetic primates resulted in
significant and prolonged (greater than 30 days) improvement of
blood sugar, with reduced insulin use, in the primate subjects.
These results were accomplished using MicroIslet's proprietary
encapsulation formulation, which is designed to more effectively
assure immunoisolation of the encapsulated islets while preserving
their access to nutrients, oxygen, and transport of low molecular
weight proteins. In other words, the insulin-producing islets were
sufficiently isolated from the subjects' immune systems to prevent
their destruction as foreign tissues during the recorded survival
period. At the same time, the encapsulated islets were able to
receive necessary nutrients and oxygen from the bloodstream and
release blood-glucose-modulating insulin into the bloodstream
through the outer layers of the islet capsules. In the primate
studies, the encapsulated porcine islets were transplanted by means
of intraperitoneal injection rather than by more invasive surgical
procedures. This procedure significantly reduces the trauma and
infection risks inherent in major surgery, and minimizes
post-transplant recovery time. For the therapeutic approach being
developed, MicroIslet anticipates that some patients with diabetes
may require periodic transplantations of additional islet cells
after an initial procedure. The second procedure would replace
previously transplanted insulin-producing islets whose
immunoisolation has been compromised by the patient's natural
immune rejection reaction or by cell attrition over time. The
Company previously conducted re-transplantation experiments in
small animals and found that the subsequent transplants were at
least as effective and well tolerated as the first transplant.
Parallel tests in primates are planned for later stages of the
primate studies currently underway. "The crucial elements of our
proprietary approach to treating diabetes through transplantation
are coming together," commented Dr. James R. Gavin III, M.D.,
Ph.D., Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of MicroIslet.
"Although the data is preliminary and there remain challenges, we
are encouraged by the data received to date. As I discussed in my
recent communication to shareholders, MicroIslet enjoys exclusive
access to the Mayo Foundation's designated pathogen free pig
facility for the treatment of diabetes, and we know of no other
facility in the United States that is presently able to supply such
pigs. MicroIslet's islet replacement program thus combines an
existing supply of suitable cells with a promising approach for
addressing immune response, both of which are essential elements
for a sustainable program of successful transplantation of islet
cells from foreign sources." About MicroIslet MicroIslet is a
biotechnology company engaged in the research, development, and
commercialization of patented technologies in the field of
transplantation therapy for people with insulin-dependent diabetes.
MicroIslet's patented islet transplantation technology, exclusively
licensed from Duke University, includes methods for isolating,
culturing, cryopreservation, and immuno-protection
(microencapsulation) of islet cells. MicroIslet is working to
develop and commercialize a first product, called MicroIslet-P(TM),
a microencapsulated porcine islet cell suspension that will be used
for transplantation in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes.
Additional information about MicroIslet can be found at
http://www.microislet.com/. Except for the historical information
contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release,
including the implication and interpretation of preliminary data,
the expectation of development of new therapeutic products and the
impact of MicroIslet's products on diabetes patients, are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor"
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially,
including MicroIslet's ability to continue as a going concern, the
risks and uncertainties inherent in medical treatment discovery,
development and commercialization, the risks and uncertainties
associated with MicroIslet's early stage xenotransplantation
technologies, the risks and uncertainties of governmental approvals
and regulation, dependence on the Mayo Foundation for Medical
Education and Research as a sole source supplier of animal parts
for pre-clinical and clinical studies, MicroIslet's need to raise
substantial additional capital to proceed through human clinical
trials and bring any product to market, the risks that MicroIslet's
competitors will develop or market technologies or products that
are more effective or commercially attractive than MicroIslet's
products, and other risks detailed from time to time in
MicroIslet's most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the
date hereof. MicroIslet disclaims any intent or obligation to
update these forward-looking statements. For more information,
please visit our Web site at http://www.microislet.com/. For
further information, contact: Kevin A. Hainley, MicroIslet Inc.
858-657-0287, Sean Collins, Partner CCG Investor Relations &
Strategic Communications 310-231-8600 ext. 202 DATASOURCE:
MicroIslet, Inc. CONTACT: Kevin A. Hainley of MicroIslet Inc.,
+1-858-657-0287, ; or Sean Collins, Partner of CCG Investor
Relations & Strategic Communications, +1-310-231-8600, ext.
202, for MicroIslet, Inc. Web site: http://www.microislet.com/
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